MIRROR CAGE – CHAPTER 8: SHADOWS BEFORE THE STORM
"In this cage, every move is watched. Every weakness, exploited."
[Afternoon – Kingsvale Institute, Training Facility]
The sound of fists striking heavy bags echoed through the cavernous gym.
Elijah stood in front of the mirror, wrapped hands clenched, eyes dark and focused. His new body was stronger, faster — but the weight of two lives sat heavy on his shoulders.
Coach Lin approached, muscles taut beneath his worn training shirt.
"You ready for tomorrow?" Lin's voice was rough, serious.
Elijah didn't answer immediately. He knew the stakes weren't just a win or lose—this was survival.
"Why me?" Elijah finally asked.
Lin's eyes flicked to the floor.
"This event... it's a showcase. But also a warning. Kingsvale doesn't tolerate anomalies."
Elijah's lips tightened.
"So, what? They want me to fail?"
Lin shook his head. "They want to break you."
[Training Dialogue – Tensions Rising]
Lin jabbed the bag, then looked at Elijah.
"You're different. Not just the body. You've got a mindset. But mindset alone won't cut it here."
Elijah threw a sharp right hook, the bag thudding with power.
"Then what will?"
"Control. Information. And never let anyone see you sweat."
Elijah's voice dropped.
"Sounds like the Elite's playbook."
Lin smiled grimly.
"Welcome to Kingsvale."
[Hallway Encounter – Subtle Power Plays]
Walking back through the crowded halls, Elijah felt eyes on him — some admiring, others hostile.
A group of upperclassmen blocked his path. The leader, Marco, a lean guy with a permanent sneer, stepped forward.
"Cole. Heard you're fighting tomorrow. Big deal for a nobody."
Elijah's stare didn't waver.
"Everyone starts as a nobody."
Marco laughed coldly. "True. Just hope you don't end like the last nobody who thought he was special."
Elijah's hand twitched — a flash of anger. But he swallowed it down.
"Thanks for the advice."
As Marco's crew moved on, Elijah's mind spun.
[Secret Thought – Dual Existence]
His two bodies were a secret weapon — but also a curse.
In his perfect form, he was the star.
In his original, he was nothing.
No one knew.
No one could know.
If the wrong person saw the other side, everything would shatter.
[Late Night – Elijah's Apartment]
The clock ticked past midnight.
Elijah sat cross-legged, reviewing footage of past fights on his tablet — analyzing moves, timing, weak points.
A knock at the door startled him.
He opened to find Naomi.
"Thought you might need this," she said, holding out a small device.
"What's this?"
"An encrypted comm link. You'll need allies."
Elijah raised an eyebrow.
"Allies?"
Naomi shrugged.
"In Kingsvale, isolation is a death sentence. Even ghosts need backup."
Their eyes locked—neither trusting, both calculating.
[Internal Conflict]
Elijah accepted the device, but inside, his world trembled.
The cage was tightening.
The fight tomorrow was more than a contest.
It was a crucible.
[SYSTEM UPDATE – Secret Interface]
Event: Kingsvale Invitational Combat
Time: 48 hours remaining
Current Physical Condition: 87% optimal
Psychological State: Alert / Cautious
New Trait: "Calculated Calm" activated – reduces stress impact during combat.
[Closing Scene – Elijah's Reflection]
He stared into the mirror once more.
Two faces.
One soul.
One battle.
And the cage? It was closing in fast